Bracelet chain



Nov. 24, 1931. M. ANDERSON BRACELET CHAIN Filed Feb. 24, 1928 INVENTOR. ,yazz/z'ce cflzov'sa/z.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 24, 1931 PATENT OFFICE MAURICE ANDERSON, OF EDGEWOOD, RHODE ISLAND BRACELET CHAIN Application filed February 24, 1928. Serial No. 256,566.

This invention relates to a flexible bracelet chain and has for its object to provide a series of units, each having links extendible one relative to the other, with the units so connected that they may be detached one from the other to vary the working length of the bracelet.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a series of connected units, each having a body link and a slide link extendible relative to the body link, with the body link formed of two parts and with the parts of one rolled spirally over portions of the other part to secure the body parts to- 1 gether.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of box links and slide links with the slide links rolled longitudinally at one end into the arc of a circle with the edge of the roll left sufficiently open so that by manipulation of the slide when the units are extended and disposed at substantially a right angle, this rolled portion may bedetached from the opening in the box link of an adjoining unit to which it is attached.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

n the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the bracelet chain as attached to the bails of awrist watch. Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the parts of the box link.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the other part of the box link.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sllde link.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the link units with the slide link partially extended from the box link.

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of two units, one unit in partially extended position and with the slide link of the other unit omitted.

Figure 7 is a sectional view with the top walls of the box links removed.

60 Figure 8 is a side elevation partly in section of two of the link units shown in their relative position just before detachment of the slide link of one unit from the box link of the next unit.

Figure 9 is a sectional view showin the mounting of a gem in the top wall 0% one of the parts of the box link.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the supporting plate for the gems.

Figure 11 is a perspective view partially cut away of the slide link with its knuckle portion at one end tightly rolled in which form the slide link is non-detachable from the box link.

In extendible watch bracelets which are to be worn about the wrist, it is desirable to provide a series of units which may be detached one from the other to vary the effective or working length of the bracelet to fit the wrists of difierent wearers. This I have accomplished by providing an opening in the end of a box link with a slide link rolled into the arc of the circle which may be swung to a'position to be removed from this opening and yet when in normal working position, is prevented from a detachment in a longitudinal direction. I have further formed the box link from two generall trough shaped parts which fit together wit the side walls of one part rolled spirallyover portions of the other part, whereby a surface is provided which is smooth and one which will not injure the flesh of the arm or catch and tear any of the sheer fabrics of womens garments. And further, the construction is such that gems to enhance the appearance of the bracelet may be mounted in the top wall of the box link and be supported therein by a plate between the two interfitting parts of the box link, and the following is a detailed description of the pres ent embodiment of this invention illustrating one construction by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

. With reference to' the drawings 10 designates a wrist watch having bails 11, to which the bracelet chain 12 may be attached by suitable end hooks 13. T he bracelet chain is composed of a series of units each comprising a box link having a part 14 formed generally trough shaped with a top wall'15 and side walls 16 and a part 17 which is also generally trough shaped having a bottom wall 18 formed concave with side walls 19 extending therefrom.

A slide link 20 is formed of sheet stock bent to form a spring abutment wall 21 at one end and with a rolled portion 22 at the other end formed on the arc of a circle, the edge 23 of which is open and cut away or notched as at 24 to fit within the shoulder portions 25 formed on the bottom part of the ox link.

The parts just described are assembled by placing the slide link 20 between the two parts 14 and 17 of the box link with a spring 26 positioned between the end wall 21 of the slide and the end wall 27 of the bottom part of the box link and then rolling the tapered edges 28 of the side walls 16 of the top of the box link spirally as at 29 (see Figure 9) over the shoulder portions 25 of the bottom part to secure the two parts of the box link together with the slide link between them and extending outwardly from one end of the unit.

An end wall 30 on the bottom part 17 of the box link partially closes the end of the unit, leaving an opening 31 through which the rolled knuckle end 22 of the slide may be passed as illustrated in Figure 8 for attachment to or detachment from the next unit as desired, it being necessary, however, that the unit carrying the slide be extended as illustrated in Figure 8 to permit of a sufficient right-angular movement of this unit relative to the next unit for detaching purposes. Each of the rolled portions of the slide unit are offset as at 32 to cause this enlarged roll or knuckle portion to be substantially centrally disposed with respect to the slide 20 to permit of flexing movement between the units in both directions.

In some cases it is desirable to ornament the links by mounting gems 33 in the top wall 15 which I accomplish by providing openings in the top wall and positioning therein gems having a fiat back 34 with a supporting plate 35 against the flat back surfaces of the gems. The plate is of a suflicient width to be engaged by the edges of the sides 19 and forced snugly against the gems to hold them in position and held there when the edges 28 of the sides of the front part 14 are rolled into securing position.

Each of the units of the bracelet are formed on the are of a circle so that when in position they will snugly fit the arm with their end walls in abutting relation and will not leave a gap between the units which may detract from the ornamental appearance of the bracelet when worn.

The foregoing description is directed solel towards the construction illustrated, but desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claim.

I claim:

A flexible bracelet chain comprising a series of units each consisting of a box link and a slide link housed therein and yieldingly'extendible therefrom, each box link consisting of two generally trough shaped parts fittlng to ether with the side walls of one part rolle into spiral form over portions of the other part to hold the two together, openings in the top wall of one of said parts, gems in said openings, a supporting plate engaging said gems, the side walls of the other of said parts engaging said plate to hold the same in gem supporting position.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

MAURICE ANDERSON. 

